Hello Friday, old friend!
It’s that time of the week where many of us are planning just what hi-jinks we might get up to over the next couple of days.
Obviously, the Edinburgh Restaurant Festival is just getting under way but here are a few suggestions for newbies, newish and still to open places.
First up, Civerinos on Edinburgh’s Hunter Square in the Old Town held its launch party a couple of nights back.
Italian street food
The Italian street food and pizza bar actually opened last December but they wanted to bed in properly before shouting too loudly about their existence.
Patience is indeed a virtue if the party was anything to go by. It’s a funky place with stripped walls, skating paraphernalia and a cheeky picture of Mona Lisa in full Adidas get-up.
Arancini rice balls are not normally high on my list of favourite things but the Civerino version is crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside and very savoury.
I would also give a shout out to their firm beef and sausage meatballs which come with a moreish porcini ragu sauce.
My +1 pal raved about his vegan pizza which came with a base topping made from puréed cannellini beans, garlic, rosemary and lemon.
The pizza are sourdough and crisp; the background music is loud and upbeat and the whole vibe is hip without being achingly so.
Bread Meats Bread spreads
Sticking with Edinburgh restaurants, we note that Bread Meats Bread is expanding from its Glasgow stronghold on St Vincent Street and opening on Lothian Road, probably in November.
Down in Stockbridge, one of the two Edinburgh branches of Buffalo Grill has given way to a second outlet of Field.
Finally in Edinburgh, we’re a bit behind the curve with this one but we hear good things about Entwine.
Formerly a Gorgie football boozer, it is now a wine and food-led, family friendly Italian restaurant and wine bar.
Fancy another cup?
On the Glasgow restaurant front, we learn that Cup, who already operate on Byres Road and Renfield Street, are to open a third venture in the Merchant City.
The new venture will be called Tea Garden and promises to be ‘a beautiful and inviting space filled with greenery and life. We’ll serve up a fantastic light lunch menu alongside a delicious range of fresh baking. (hint: think more than just cupcakes!)’.
On Maryhill Road, The Strathmore has re-opened with a swish new look and contemporary bar menu.
Live music, cocktails and a groovy glass extension all add to the bar’s charms.
